An Unfortunate Affair.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3435, 27 December 1879, Page 3

An Unfortunate Affair.

Christehurch the Belfast of the Southern Seas.

Five uion Injured,'

CHEISTCHUECH.

Last night. As a procession of Orangemen,'headed by their band, proceeded down Manchester street to the railway station-, for the purpose, of holding a picnic at Prebbleton they were met by some Catholics who are employed on the tramway and drainage works, and who lire at Barrett's Borough Hotel. They assombled in front of the hotel, and as the procession was passing a rope was ran across the street in front of the band. The band turned back and the procession proceeded on towards the rope, when a rush was made by the mob, who were armed with pick handles and other weapons. One man was knocked down and seriously hurt. Sashes were torn off and colors torn down. The Protestants tried to re-assemble and defend themselves with banner poles. Detective Benjamin and Conitable Cleary then came up. The latter was struck heavily on tbo shoulder, and several Orangemen were knocked down, i Two were taken to a chemist's—one with a wound on the hi ad three and a-half inches in length, and another wounded on the head one and a-half inches. Another had hia head cut and was taken home. Another, very severely injured, -was taken to the hospital, and another taken not so badly hurt. The crowd then called out that the police were coming, but somebody said there was no bobbies in th« town. The fact was that Inspector Hickion had proceeded with 20 men by a special train at six o'clock that morning, in anticipation of a riot at. Timaru. This must have been known at the time. Inspector Broham now appeared on the scene with a few men, and while trying to arrest one of the rioters a voice called out " Faugh-a-ballagh," and a rush was made. One man was taken to the police station in a cab. '; A Minister of Peace to the rescue.

Inspector Broham then asked the rioters to disperse, but on their refusing lie sent for Father Gruby, who got many of them to return to the Catholic Church There was great excitement in town. After the attack the precession did not reform, but made its way to the stations in dribbles.

Three men wore seriously injured, and two slightly. Three arrests hare been mide. The police have been stationed all day in the vicinity of the Borough Hotel. Tha Volunteers to qpielLthe Rioters. A report reached town that the Mayor had communicated with Colonel Packe in j reference to assembling the Volunteers under arms. Should present appearances continue, special Constables will be sworn in. Timaru prepared to follow j Christchurch. | At Timaru, after an boar's confinement j in the Foresters Hall, the Orange procession pocketed their scarves, and were allowed to proceed to the sports unmolested. The police were helpless. Later.—Retaliation- . j

The Orangemen returned from their excursion and paraded with banners up Manchester street. There was great excitement among those assembled. A •tone thrown from among the crowd fell on the standard bearer. The assailant was pushed for several blocks by a crowd of people, and at length captured by the police and removed to the lock-up. The mobs have been amusing themselves all night smashing the windows of Barrett's Hotel with stones, and were it not for the strong guard of special police who formed a cordon round the building, there is no doubt it would, have been completely wrecked by this time (12 a.m.,)